NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Russia: City college leaders to receive retraining in first MPA program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Training under the MPA (Master of Public Administration) professional retraining program “Management of an educational organization in the field of secondary vocational education (SPO)” will begin on April 16. Its goal is to help heads of Moscow colleges and their deputies create better conditions for training personnel in the capital, taking into account the needs of the labor market. The training course was developed by the Department of Personnel Services of the Government of Moscow in collaboration with Department of Education and Science.

    According to Sergei Sobyanin, today the capital’s economy is creating a need for specialists in various professions. In order to effectively meet this demand, a large-scale transformation of the infrastructure and content of education is necessary. Strong managers who think strategically and can solve problems in a comprehensive manner are needed to develop the secondary vocational education system. tasks of the vocational education system, set by the city.

    “A large-scale program for professional retraining of college managers has been launched in the capital. It was developed jointly with the Moscow Government’s Personnel Services Department and focuses on the practical application of knowledge. Participants in the program will receive specific tools for implementing changes in their colleges. This approach will help significantly improve the quality of management of educational organizations, which will directly affect the effectiveness of training specialists in demand among employers in the city,” she reported.

    Irina Shvets, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Science of the City of Moscow.

    Over the course of nine months, 59 participants in the first stream of the program will gain relevant knowledge in the field of management, learn to build partnerships with employers and create a strategy for developing teams in their educational organizations, which they will defend in front of experts in the final.

    The program for heads of secondary vocational educational institutions creates a new system for training managers in the field of secondary vocational education. Participants will not only receive theoretical knowledge, but will also exchange best practices, form a bank of solutions to complex management problems, and develop strategies for interaction with key stakeholders: the management team, employers, teachers, schoolchildren, students, and parents.

    The training will combine classic and innovative formats: face-to-face meetings, online workshops, trainings, master classes, VR simulator. The speakers are recognized industry leaders, business leaders, leading trainers and consultants in the development of management potential.

    At the end of the program, each participant will defend a project for developing the management team of their college before the leadership of the Moscow educational system and will receive a diploma of the established form on professional retraining with the assignment of the qualification “Specialist in State and Municipal Administration – Master of Public Administration (MPA)”.

    “The HR Services Department, relying on the successful experience of implementing the program for school principals, continues to work on developing the leaders of the capital’s education system. Today, courses that provide for the comprehensive development of management skills based on industry examples are of particular value. Our training has been developed specifically for the directors of Moscow colleges together with key leaders in the SPO sector, and we thank the Moscow Department of Education and Science for their cooperation and trust,” said Olga Polobok, program director, head of the training and development department of the HR Services Department of the Moscow Government.

    The HR Services Department forms a support system for Moscow Government organizations and offers comprehensive HR solutions that take into account the needs of all city industries. The concept was developed on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin and is intended, among other things, to facilitate the implementation of the Moscow development strategy until 2030.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152621073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese embassy urges fairness, impartiality in addressing issue of British Steel

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Chinese embassy in Britain on Wednesday urged the British government to follow the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination in dealing with the issue of British Steel to make sure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in Britain are protected.

    The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians regarding the issue of British Steel is “extremely absurd,” a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Britain said in a statement.

    The spokesperson made the remarks as several politicians attacked Chinese companies and the Chinese government following the British government’s recent takeover of British Steel from private Chinese enterprise Jingye Group, which has owned the company since 2020.

    The attacks by some individual British politicians reflected “their arrogance, ignorance and twisted mindset,” said the spokesperson.

    The spokesperson stressed that the Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that makes business investments in Britain on the basis of market principles and conducts operation on its own.

    British Steel had been losing money for many years before its acquisition by Jingye and actually went into compulsory liquidation in 2019, noted the spokesperson.

    “After taking over, Jingye put in substantial funding to keep the company afloat to this day. Had it not been for the involvement of this Chinese company, British Steel workers might have already faced the risk of unemployment,” said the spokesperson.

    It is understood that, under the British government’s net-zero strategy, steel companies that use iron ore to produce steel must achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. To that end, British steel companies including British Steel have all negotiated with the government to find a path to decarbonization transition. Among them, the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales closed its blast furnace in July 2024.

    “British Steel’s plan to close its blast furnaces and build electric arc furnaces is a normal decision, and it is understandable that the company conducted negotiations with the government on investment for the transition,” said the spokesperson.

    Generally speaking, Chinese companies in Britain have operated in compliance with the law and achieved steady progress, and have made positive contributions to the local economy, the spokesperson said. According to statistics available, Chinese companies in Britain have contributed over 115 billion pounds (152.6 billion U.S. dollars) to the British economy and created nearly 60,000 jobs.

    Any words or deeds that politicize or maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese business investors in Britain and damage China-Britain economic and trade cooperation, said the spokesperson.

    “It is hoped that the British government will continue to engage in consultations and negotiations with Jingye to actively seek a solution acceptable to all parties,” said the spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s Malaysia visit sets new milestone in bilateral ties, regional cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pose for a group photo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ongoing state visit to Malaysia marks a significant step in strengthening China-Malaysia all-round cooperation as the two sides have agreed to work together to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

    On Wednesday, Xi met with Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, respectively. Both sides emphasized their commitment to enhancing economic cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and developing future industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green economy.

    High-level exchanges

    When meeting the king, Xi said that China is ready to work with the Malaysian side to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to usher in new “Golden 50 Years” for bilateral ties.

    China and Malaysia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners who visit each other as often as family, Xi said, adding that bilateral relations have gone through a magnificent half-century and are embracing an even brighter future.

    Xi called on the two sides to ensure good implementation of major projects such as the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” program and the East Coast Rail Link, and to actively foster cooperation in future industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green economy.

    China supports Malaysia in its role as the 2025 ASEAN chair and stands ready to work with the country to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, Xi said.

    For his part, King Sultan Ibrahim expressed his belief that Xi’s visit will comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations and promote vigorous development of cooperation in various fields, adding that China’s impressive development achievements are attributable to the foresight of President Xi and the hard work of the Chinese people.

    Malaysia attaches great importance to its relations with China and will work with China toward win-win cooperation and promote the building of the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future no matter how the international situation evolves, he said.

    Malaysia values regional economic integration, firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and stands ready to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China, jointly stabilize industrial and supply chains, enhance connectivity and boost people-to-people and educational exchanges, said the king.

    While meeting the prime minister, Xi urged joint efforts to resist decoupling, supply chain disruptions, “small yard with high fences” and arbitrary imposition of tariffs with openness, inclusiveness, unity and cooperation.

    He also called for responding to the law of the jungle with Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and responding to an unstable and uncertain world with a stable and certain Asia.

    Thriving cooperation, flourishing ties

    China-Malaysia ties run deep. From the voyages of renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He in the 15th century to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, and to the building of a community with a shared future today, the two countries have long enjoyed cultural affinity and strategic trust.

    During Xi’s 2013 visit, the two countries upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. A decade later, the relationship was elevated again to a China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

    In a signed article published in Malaysian media ahead of his arrival, Xi said the decision on building the China-Malaysia community with a shared future marked “a new milestone in the bilateral relations.”

    “Our bilateral cooperation potential is being progressively realized in the digital economy, green development, industrial investment and transport infrastructure construction,” he wrote.

    As a vital node along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Malaysia is among the first to participate in Belt and Road cooperation. Thanks to joint efforts and Xi’s steadfast push, bilateral collaboration within the framework has achieved many results.

    In 2024, China-Malaysia trade reached 212 billion U.S. dollars, nearly 1,000 times the level at the inception of diplomatic relations. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

    On top of that, bilateral initiatives like the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” program, which pairs industrial zones in Qinzhou and Kuantan, have emerged as a model for regional collaboration. This partnership has spurred the expansion of port collaboration and infrastructure connection.

    A notable example is the East Coast Rail Link, a 665 km railway whose construction is in full swing. The railway, once completed, will bridge Malaysia’s less-developed east coast with its economic powerhouse on the west coast, enhancing connectivity and fostering balanced growth.

    Samirul Ariff Othman, an economist at Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, said, “the flourishing economic ties between Malaysia and China demonstrate the resilience and mutual benefits of our bilateral relationship.”

    “The continued expansion of investments in high-value sectors such as technology, green energy and manufacturing will further deepen our cooperation,” said Othman.

    Multilateral collaboration

    Experts believe that the significance of Xi’s visit goes beyond bilateral relations. “It will greatly impact ASEAN-China relations, injecting new momentum into regional development and stability,” said Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific.

    In the signed article, Xi noted that China was the first ASEAN dialogue partner to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the first to establish a free trade area and a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN.

    Bilateral cooperation between China and ASEAN is more robust than ever, he said, adding that in 2024, China-ASEAN trade exceeded 980 billion dollars, making the two sides each other’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years.

    According to China’s General Administration of Customs, ASEAN remained China’s largest trading partner in the first two months of 2025. During this period, trade between China and ASEAN countries reached a total of 1.03 trillion yuan, or 15.8 percent of China’s overall trade value.

    China fully supports Malaysia in its role as the ASEAN chair for 2025 and looks forward to Malaysia serving as a stronger bridge between the two sides as the country coordinator for China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, Xi said.

    China will work with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries to combat the undercurrents of geopolitical and camp-based confrontation, as well as the countercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism, said the Chinese leader.

    “We must brave the waves ahead and advance the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, and jointly build a stronger China-ASEAN community with a shared future,” Xi said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Inflation rises and families feel the squeeze

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Inflation is rising again and it’s landing hardest on families already stretched thin.

    “For the second time this week, families already stretched by rising costs are hit with the news that prices are going up again,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “It’s not just grocery prices that are high, it’s rates and rents too.”

    On Tuesday, figures from Stats NZ showed food prices up 3.5 percent over the past year, with butter up a staggering 64 percent, milk up 16 percent, and meat up more than five percent. Now, new figures show that inflation is up across the board, including rates which have gone up 12.2 percent and rent, up 3.7 percent.

    “With the shift to final year fees-free, prospective students are also being hit with a 22.6 percent increase in the cost to study right now. Coupled with rents and food prices, it’s a particularly hard time to be a student,” Barbara Edmonds sai

    “The Government has spent billions on tax cuts but made life more expensive for people at the same time. The small amount each week is quickly eaten up by rising costs.

    “They scrapped free prescriptions, cancelled half-price public transport, and chose not to lift the minimum wage in line with inflation. These are their choices, and it’s made life harder for New Zealanders.

    “Nicola Willis also won’t say if she’s about to cut the Best Start or Winter Energy Payments. These are vital safety nets which help new parents pay the bills and older New Zealanders heat their homes in winter.

    “These price hikes occurred before U.S. tariffs hit and there’s a lot of uncertainty ahead. Families need reassurance and real support, not more cuts and complacency,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on April 16, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,42,987.93 5.76 4.00-6.55
         I. Call Money 18,005.06 5.85 4.95-5.95
         II. Triparty Repo 4,28,281.20 5.71 5.38-5.99
         III. Market Repo 1,94,927.67 5.85 4.00-6.55
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,774.00 6.01 6.00-6.20
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 100.85 5.65 5.45-5.85
         II. Term Money@@ 625.00 – 6.10-6.10
         III. Triparty Repo 9,042.50 5.86 5.50-5.96
         IV. Market Repo 1,277.58 6.06 5.55-6.10
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Wed, 16/04/2025 1 Thu, 17/04/2025 10,346.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Wed, 16/04/2025 1 Thu, 17/04/2025 102.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 16/04/2025 1 Thu, 17/04/2025 1,88,292.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -177844.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,998.94  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     7,998.94  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,69,845.06  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on April 16, 2025 9,25,756.95  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending April 18, 2025 9,31,571.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ April 16, 2025 10,346.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on March 21, 2025 1,11,247.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/120

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Want straighter teeth or a gap between? Don’t believe TikTok – filing them isn’t the answer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland

    After decades of Hollywood showcasing white-picket-fence celebrity smiles, the world has fallen for White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth.

    Wood was bullied for her looks in her youth and expressed gratitude for the positive comments she received about her teeth since appearing on White Lotus. She also joked that people shouldn’t take to drastic measures like filing teeth to copy her famous gap.

    But social media influencers are promising that teeth filing is a quick way to achieve a straight smile. Some influencers even use electric nail drills to cut gaps between their front teeth.

    A few of my patients admit to taking a nail file to “buff” or file jagged edges off their teeth. Many do this without understanding what they are cutting away.

    Here’s why you should think twice about filing your teeth at home, and why we as dentists or orthodontists occasionally resort to this.

    When might a dentist file a tooth?

    Dentists and orthodontists occasionally file a tooth’s enamel, known as enameloplasty, to conservatively smooth-down a chipped tooth, or even-out a smile.

    But adjustments to a person’s smile are minute, and always limited to the superficial enamel layer of the tooth.

    Why don’t dentists routinely file teeth?

    Dentists and orthodontists are particular about what and when we cut because teeth don’t grow back like fingernails or hair.

    So what is a tooth? A tooth is like an egg, with an outer diamond-like lustrous crystal enamel coat that envelops the hard yet springy dentine.

    The enamel and dentine envelop a central chamber – containing blood vessels, cells and nerves – called the pulp.

    The outer periphery of the pulp is surrounded by and nourishes special dentine-making cells called odontoblasts.

    The odontoblasts are similar to our bone-making cells but don’t have the capacity to regenerate. These cells eventually give way to age-related changes or trauma.

    Our enamel-making cells die when our teeth cut through our gums as children, which means we can no longer make new, or repair damaged, enamel.

    So damaged enamel or dentine on the outer surface of the tooth cannot self-repair.

    Cutting your teeth without sealing and filling them can leave the tooth exposed, destroying the previously well-insulated pulp and causing sensitivity and pain.

    Infections can occur because the bacteria from the plaque inside your mouth travels into the tooth and inflames the pulp.

    And just like a cut on your skin, the pulp inflames and swells as part of the healing process. But your pulp is encased in a hard enamel-dentine chamber, so it has no room to expand and swell, leading to a throbbing toothache.

    What can you do if you want to change your teeth?

    You can change your smile without compromising the integrity of your teeth. Dentists can even create or close gaps.

    And we will always offer conservative options, including “no treatment”, to keep as many of your teeth whole and healthy as possible.

    Sometimes, your dentists and or orthodontists may offer options to:

    • use braces to move teeth. Moving teeth can create a different smile, and sometimes change the shape and position of your jaws, lips and cheeks

    • whiten teeth to remove superficial stains to make your smile look more visually even

    • adapt white resin fillings or veneers to add and change the shape of teeth, with little or no tooth cutting required.

    If you’re concerned about the look of your teeth, talk to your dentist or orthodontist about options that won’t damage your teeth and make them last the distance.

    Don’t forget that Aimee Lou Wood’s iconic smile makes her stand out from the crowd. Your smile is what makes you special, and is part of who you are.

    Arosha Weerakoon is a member of the Australian Dental Association and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. She is the Deputy Chair of the Country to Coast Queensland Clinical Advisory Council. Arosha is a Colgate Advocate for Oral Health. In this role, she promotes professionalism to her peers. She is the principal and owner of a general dental practice.

    – ref. Want straighter teeth or a gap between? Don’t believe TikTok – filing them isn’t the answer – https://theconversation.com/want-straighter-teeth-or-a-gap-between-dont-believe-tiktok-filing-them-isnt-the-answer-253931

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 1 in 6 New Zealanders is disabled. Why does so much health research still exclude them?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachelle Martin, Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation & Disability, University of Otago

    Getty Images

    Disabled people encounter all kinds of barriers to accessing healthcare – and not simply because some face significant mobility challenges.

    Others will see their symptoms not investigated properly because it’s assumed a problem is related to their disability rather than another medical condition. Or they will have decisions made for them rather than with them.

    This often means they experience worse – and avoidable – outcomes compared to others. But despite this, health research – which is meant to reduce these disparities – frequently excludes disabled people.

    For instance, a 2023 global review of 2,710 clinical trials found 35% reported excluding disabled individuals specifically. Researchers sometimes assume (without a good ethical or scientific reason) that disabled people can’t give consent, don’t meet the study criteria, or will struggle to follow instructions and collaborate.

    Even when researchers are more inclusive, their plans can fail to account for the difficulties disabled people face with travel, communication and physical access. All of which makes it harder for them to participate.

    This creates a vicious circle. Health research is vital for shaping the policies, treatments and community interventions that underpin modern healthcare. However, for disabled people, who make up one-sixth of the national and global population, too much research does not reflect their experiences and needs.

    Beyond clinical and scientific research

    The active participation by disabled people in health research is good science, good economics and the right thing to do. When people with lived experience contribute to the design and delivery of health care and research, it means services are used more and fairer outcomes are achieved.

    But this is far from the reality in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. Scientific and clinical research is still often viewed as being more important than research addressing the needs of patients and people, as prioritised by them.

    There is increasing interest in public and patient involvement in health services, and to a lesser extent health research. But this is not sufficiently embedded or formalised. Research priorities are still set primarily by clinicians and medical researchers.

    Most funding still goes to research investigating the causes, genetics and treatment of health conditions. And while these are important to study, there is still too little research focused on how people can live well with disability.

    A recent review of research funding for autism, for example, found the most money and number of grants were awarded to biological research. But a survey of about 500 people from New Zealand’s autistic and autism communities found people wanted more research into their mental health, wellbeing and practical skills development.

    If research aims to improve health outcomes for everyone, it must involve all populations – particularly those most at risk of poorer health outcomes.

    This extends beyond people with disability to include all marginalised and often excluded communities. But this kind of change will need action at different levels of research, and to be led by researchers themselves. The rules and funding systems must also support a more inclusive approach.

    Practical steps to make a difference

    Some of the key strategies needed to ensure health research becomes more representative, ethical and effective have been outlined by the Disability Inclusion in Research Collaboration, a global network of researchers:

    • Making sure disabled people are visible in research grant applications: funding bodies must actively require and reward the inclusion of disabled participants in health research studies.

    • Including disability perspectives from the very start: disabled people should be involved in formulating research questions, designing studies and advising on accessibility measures.

    • Ensuring disabled people are research participants whenever possible: researchers must clearly explain and justify any exclusion criteria related to disability, which need to be grounded in legitimate safety or ethical concerns rather than mere assumptions.

    • Making it routine to report on disability status: research studies should use data to identify, track and report on participants’ disability status, so it is easier to monitor inclusion efforts and outcomes.

    By committing to these basic measures, health research can become more representative, ethical and effective. It will also help the research produce insights relevant to a broader range of people, ultimately leading to stronger and fairer healthcare systems.

    This is about more than justice for disabled people. It is about ensuring medical research achieves its true purpose: to improve health for everyone.

    Rachelle A Martin receives funding from the NZ Health Research Council.

    Kaaren Mathias receives funding from the Health Research Council and CURE Kids.

    – ref. 1 in 6 New Zealanders is disabled. Why does so much health research still exclude them? – https://theconversation.com/1-in-6-new-zealanders-is-disabled-why-does-so-much-health-research-still-exclude-them-254280

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Oil and gas services company Qteq attempted to induce cartel arrangements

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The Federal Court has today found oil and gas services company Qteq Pty Ltd and its executive chairman Simon Ashton engaged in cartel conduct in relation to the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry, following court action by the ACCC.

    The Court found that between 2017 and 2019, on five occasions, Qteq and Mr Ashton attempted to induce suppliers in the industry to enter into contracts, arrangements or understandings with them which contained one or more cartel provisions.

    Qteq and Mr Ashton were found to have attempted to induce competitors or likely competitors in the upstream phase of production in the oil and gas industry to enter into cartel arrangements or understandings, which included provisions not to supply particular services to large oil and gas companies, to share markets and to rig a multi-million-dollar tender.

    “We brought this action because we believed these attempts had the potential to impact competition between Qteq and other current or likely competitors for the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Cartels are the most fundamental attack on competition in our economy, and taking actions against them is a high priority for the ACCC.”

    “Today’s decision should send a strong warning to all businesses and senior managers that attempting to enter or induce collusive agreements with a competitor is illegal and will be met with strong enforcement action by the ACCC,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    The Court did not find in favour of the ACCC in relation to one additional instance of alleged cartel conduct.

    The Court will set a date for a further hearing to consider submissions about penalties and other orders.

    Publication of the judgment is pending confidentiality review by the respondents.

    Background

    Qteq is a Queensland-based company which provides mining equipment and technology services to support the upstream oil and gas industry.

    Its primary business is the sale, installation, and servicing of downhole pressure gauges to coal seam gas producers, which is known as ‘gauge works’. At the relevant time, Qteq was the market leader in providing gauge work services.

    Gauge works are a form of monitoring and measurement where a downhole gauge system is inserted into a well to monitor the water level so that the rate at which water is pumped out of the coal seam can be controlled.

    The ACCC filed civil cartel proceedings against Qteq and Mr Ashton in December 2022.

    Notes for editors

    A cartel exists when businesses agree to act together instead of competing with each other. Conduct can include price fixing, sharing markets, rigging bids and controlling the output or limiting the amount of goods and services.

    Anyone who thinks they may be involved in alleged cartel conduct is urged to call the ACCC Cartel Immunity Hotline on (02) 9230 3894. More information about the immunity process is available on the ACCC website at Cartels. They can also report alleged cartel conduct by using the anonymous cartel portal. 

    The ACCC investigates cartel conduct and can take civil cartel proceedings in the Federal Court or refer serious cartel conduct to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

    For corporations, the maximum penalty for each cartel offence before 9 November 2022 is the greater of:

    • $10 million,
    • three times the total benefits that have been obtained and are reasonably attributable to the commission of the offence, or
    • if the total value of the benefits cannot be determined,10 per cent of the corporation’s annual turnover connected with Australia.

    An individual found to have been involved in civil cartel conduct before 9 November 2022 is subject to a maximum penalty of $500,000 for each act or omission. 

    The maximum civil penalties for cartel conduct by corporations and individuals were substantially increased with effect from 9 November 2022.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Inflation data confirms real terms minimum wage cut

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned for low-income workers given new data released by Stats NZ that shows inflation was 2.5% for the year to March 2025, rising from 2.2% in December last year.

    “The prices of things that people can’t avoid are rising – meaning inflation is rising faster for those on low incomes,” said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney.

    “Inflation was driven by increases in rents (up 3.7%), rates (up 12%), household energy (up 7.2%) and insurances (up 8%). Grocery prices were also higher, rising 4.3%.

    “Earlier this year, the minimum wage rose by 1.5% – a full 1% less than actual inflation. This is the second year the Government has increased the minimum wage by less than inflation, which means that a full-time minimum wage worker is now cumulatively $2,438 worse off in real terms. Minimum wage workers are missing out on $28.36 a week because of the Government’s decisions.

    “The Government is considering removing the Living Wage guarantee for government contractors who are caterers, cleaners, and security guards. This data shows why that protection is so important – working people can’t rely on this Government to protect them through the Minimum Wage.

    “With 46% of workers receiving a pay rise less than inflation last year, it also shows that many working people are still doing it tough. Unemployment is still rising, with tens of thousands of more people on Jobseekers Support. It is clearly not workers who are benefitting from the very little economic growth is being delivered.

    “This data is another piece of evidence about who is winning and losing in the economy. The poorest working people are facing higher costs they can’t avoid – but with less money to pay.

    “Workers need a change in direction and a government that will actively address low pay, unemployment, and poverty – it’s time for a different approach,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: In the trade war, China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Yue Zhang, Associate Professor, Technology and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney

    China has placed curbs on exports of rare germanium and gallium which are critical in manufacturing. Shutterstock

    In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs.

    This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the United States’ deep dependence on China for materials essential to its technological competitiveness, clean energy transition and national defence.

    Beijing’s response was swift and calculated. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced expanded export controls and a shift in pricing principles. The move reflects China’s long-standing effort to shift rare earth pricing from market supply and demand to pricing based on their strategic value.

    The impact was immediate. Rare earth exports from China effectively ground to a halt, as exporters awaited approvals under a new, opaque licensing regime.

    The announcement prompted President Trump to issue a new executive order directing a review of national security risks stemming from the US reliance on imported, processed critical minerals.

    As global supply chains reel from these disruptions, Australia finds itself in a unique strategic position. As a trusted US ally, it possesses the resources, partnerships and political capital to step into the breach. But can Australia seize this opportunity – or will it come with strings attached?

    China’s new playbook

    China’s latest restrictions target seven rare earths – such as dysprosium and terbium – crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets and missile systems.

    While stopping short of a full export ban, the policy functions as a chokepoint. It leverages China’s near-total global control of rare earth refining (around 90%) and its monopoly on heavy rare earth processing (98%).

    Domestically, China’s rare earth sector is dominated by two state-owned giants which together control nearly 100% of national mining quotas.

    These measures have exposed the vulnerability of Western supply chains. The US has only one operational rare earth mine – Mountain Pass in California – and minimal domestic refining capacity. A new processing facility in Texas owned by Australia’s Lynas is under development, but it will take years to establish a self-sufficient supply chain.

    Rare earths have become a source of contention in the tariff war.
    Shutterstock

    Europe faces similar challenges. While rare earths are vital to the EU’s green transition, domestic production remains limited. Efforts to diversify through partners like Australia and Canada show promise but are hindered by high production costs and continued reliance on Chinese technology.

    China is also working to redefine how rare earths are priced. One proposal would tie the value of key elements like dysprosium to the price of gold, elevating them from industrial inputs to geopolitical assets. Another would settle rare earth transactions in yuan rather than US dollars, advancing Beijing’s broader ambition to internationalise its currency.

    For China, this strategy goes beyond economics. It is a deliberate national resource policy comparable to OPEC’s management of oil, designed to link pricing to the strategic significance of critical minerals.

    Australia’s window?

    Investors
    are closely watching Australian producers. Strategic deposits such as Mt Weld in Western Australia have drawn renewed interest from Japan, Europe and the US.

    Industry observers argue Australia is better positioned than the US to develop secure supply chains, due to its rich geological endowment and transparent regulatory environment.

    To seize this opportunity, the government has begun to act.

    Under its Future Made in Australia initiative, the federal government is considering measures such as strategic stockpiling, production tax credits and expanded support for domestic processing. Iluka Resources has secured A$1.65 billion to build a rare earth refinery, due to be operational by 2026.

    Emerging projects like Browns Range and Lynas’s Malaysian refinery already serve as alternative nodes in the global rare earth supply chain network.

    However, structural barriers remain. The Western allies, including Australia, still lack key processing technologies and have potentially high environmental compliance costs. Lynas’s Texas plant was intended to expand allied capacity but has faced delays due to environmental approvals.

    Walking a diplomatic tightrope

    Geopolitical tensions add another layer of complexity. Australia’s dual role – as a major upstream supplier to China and a strategic ally of the US – places it on a diplomatic tightrope.

    Aligning too closely with the US could invite Chinese retaliation. Appearing overly aligned with China may provoke scrutiny from Washington.

    Ownership concerns are also rising. The government has blocked or forced divestment of Chinese stakes in rare earth and lithium companies including Northern Minerals.

    Market volatility compounds these challenges. Prices are currently buoyed by geopolitical risk, but have been volatile. Moreover, China’s ability to undercut global prices could erode the competitiveness of Australian exports.

    A strategic opportunity – but with strings attached

    Australia stands at the centre of a rare strategic inflection point. It is both a beneficiary of China’s retreat and a potential casualty of intensifying great power competition.

    In a world where resources confer influence, the question for Australia is not simply whether it has the mineral deposits but whether it has the strategy to match.

    If the government can capitalise on this moment – diversifying partnerships, investing in capabilities, and navigating allies and rivals with strategic care – it could emerge as a leader in a more diverse critical minerals landscape.

    In the era of mineral geopolitics, possessing the resources is no longer enough. The real test is whether Australia has the foresight and the will to lead.

    Marina Yue Zhang does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. In the trade war, China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment? – https://theconversation.com/in-the-trade-war-china-has-moved-to-curb-supply-of-critical-minerals-can-australia-seize-the-moment-254574

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    Despite the challenges faced by local democratic activists, Thailand has often been an oasis of relative liberalism compared with neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

    Westerners, in particular, have been largely welcomed and provided with a measure of protection from harassment by the authorities. Thailand’s economy is extremely dependent on foreign tourism. Many Westerners also work in a variety of industries, including as academics at public and private universities.

    That arrangement now seems under pressure. Earlier this month, Paul Chambers, an American political science lecturer at Naresuan University, was arrested on charges of violating the Computer Crimes Act and the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for allegedly insulting the monarchy.

    Chambers’ visa has been revoked and he now faces a potential punishment of 15 years in jail.

    The lèse-majesté law has become a common tool for silencing Thai activists. At least 272 people have been charged under the law since pro-democracy protests broke out in 2020, according to rights groups.

    Its use against foreigners has, until now, been limited. No foreign academic has ever been charged with it. Because of the law, however, most academics in Thailand usually tread carefully in their critiques of the monarchy.

    The decision to charge a foreign academic, therefore, suggests a hardening of views on dissent by conservative forces in the country. It represents a further deterioration in Thailand’s democratic credentials and provides little optimism for reform under the present government.

    Thailand’s democratic deficit

    Several other recent actions have also sparked concerns about democratic backsliding.

    Following a visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to China in February, the government violated domestic and international law by forcibly returning 40 Uyghurs to China.

    The Uyghurs had fled China a decade earlier to escape repression in the western Xinjiang region and had been held in detention in Thailand ever since. They now potentially face worse treatment by the Chinese authorities.

    Then, in early April, Thailand welcomed the head of the Myanmar junta to a regional summit in Bangkok after a devastating earthquake struck his war-ravaged country.

    Min Aung Hlaing has been shunned internationally since the junta launched a coup against the democratically elected government in Myanmar in 2021, sparking a devastating civil war. He has only visited Russia and China since then.

    In addition, the military continues to dominate politics in Thailand. After a progressive party, Move Forward, won the 2023 parliamentary elections by committing to amend the lèse-majesté law, the military, the unelected Senate and other conservative forces in the country ignored the will of the people and denied its charismatic leader the prime ministership.

    The party was then forcibly dissolved by the Constitutional Court and its leader banned from politics for ten years.

    In February, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission criminally indicted 44 politicians from Move Forward for sponsoring a bill in parliament to reform the lèse-majesté law. They face lifetime bans from politics if they are found guilty of breaching “ethical standards”.

    Even the powerful former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who is also the uncle of the current prime minister, is not immune from the lèse-majesté law.

    He was indicted last year for allegedly insulting the monarchy almost two decades ago. His case is due to be heard in July.

    This continued undermining of democratic norms is chipping away at Thailand’s international reputation. The country is now classified as a “flawed democracy” in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, with its ranking falling two years in a row.



    Read more:
    Thailand’s democracy has taken another hit, but the country’s progressive forces won’t be stopped

    Academic freedom at risk

    The lèse-majesté law has always represented something of a challenge to academic freedom in Thailand, as well as freedom of speech more generally. Campaigners against the law have paid a heavy price.

    The US State Department has provided a statement of support for Chambers, urging the Thai government to “ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression”. However, given the Trump administration’s attacks on US universities at the moment, this demand rings somewhat hollow.

    Academic freedom is a hallmark of democracies compared with authoritarian regimes. With the US no longer so concerned with protecting academic freedom at home, there is little stopping flawed democracies around the world from stepping up pressure on academics to toe the line.

    The undermining of democracy in the US is already having palpable impacts on democratic regression around the world.

    With little international pressure to adhere to democratic norms, the current Thai government has taken a significant and deleterious step in arresting a foreign academic.

    In the future, universities in Thailand, as in the US, will find it harder to attract international talent. Universities – and the broader society – in both countries will be worse off for it.

    Adam Simpson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic – https://theconversation.com/thailands-fragile-democracy-takes-another-hit-with-arrest-of-us-academic-254706

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC releases draft decision proposing to authorise collaborations on sustainable finance initiatives

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has released a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation with conditions to allow the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) and industry participants to collaborate on sustainable finance initiatives for five years.

    ASFI is seeking authorisation for itself, ASFI members and other industry participants to exchange information to improve the integration of natural capital data into financial decision-making, co-designing investment structures and developing related regulatory reform proposals. Authorisation is also sought for some participants to agree to jointly develop and propose to Government or ASFI the most effective investment structure and/or product features to achieve sustainable investment products.

    ASFI aims to facilitate the development of sustainable farming practices, support producers to meet sustainability regulations of export destinations, and contribute to emissions reduction targets. The goal of the proposed collaborative conduct is to enable ASFI to increase the flow of private capital into sustainable investment opportunities.

    “We consider that the proposed collaborative conduct would increase the likelihood of greater investment in projects seeking to preserve Australia’s environment as well as cost savings and process efficiencies,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

    The ACCC considers this kind of information sharing and collaboration between competitors can reduce competition in the supply of sustainable financial products as well as in broader financial markets through coordinated behaviour enabled by information sharing between competitors.

    The ACCC has made some amendments to the conduct to be authorised in its draft decision and is proposing to impose a number of conditions to limit any negative impacts. It will consider further whether additional refinements to the conduct are necessary before making a final decision.

    The ACCC is seeking to ensure sufficient oversight and transparency of the arrangements and to appropriately limit the circumstances and contents of any information sharing.

    “With the proposed conditions, we are satisfied that the collaborative conduct is likely to result in public benefits that would outweigh any likely harm to competition,” Mr Keogh said.

    The ACCC is seeking submissions in response to the draft determination by 2 May 2025 before making its final determination.

    Further information about this application including a copy of the decision is available on the ACCC’s public register.

    Background

    ASFI is a collaboration between representatives of the Australian financial sector, civil society, academia, and financial regulators. Membership is voluntary and open to any corporation in the financial services sector or service provider to financial institutions which is interested in pursuing and supporting ASFI’s objectives.

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has provided the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute with a grant to undertake the ‘Institutional Investor Engagement (Indo-Pacific)’ project to draw private investment into development outcomes in the Indo-Pacific region, including through supporting the development of DFAT’s blended finance portfolio.

    The ACCC granted interim authorisation to the ASFI and its member banks on 7 March 2025, allowing them to discuss and exchange information for the purpose of developing potential banking capital requirement reforms to remove constraints on sustainable finance and investment in Australia. Interim authorisation will remain in place until the final determination comes into effect.

    Notes to editors

    ACCC authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct by competitors that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act.

    Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.

    In December 2024, the ACCC released its guide on sustainability collaborations and Australia competition law to inform businesses and other entities about the interaction between Australian competition law and sustainability collaborations.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Wyden Call for Criminal Investigation into Evidence of Fraud by Promoters Affiliated with IRS Nominee Billy Long

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Former Congressman Billy Long, Trump Nominee for IRS Commissioner, Partnered with Promoters of Fraudulent “Tribal Tax Credits,” Other Tax Scams
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called for a criminal investigation into promoters involved in a tax evasion scheme selling investors fraudulent “tribal tax credits,” including firms that had close financial ties with former Congressman Billy Long, the Trump nominee for IRS Commissioner. 
    “As you are aware, the IRS recently confirmed to Senate Finance Committee investigators that these ‘tribal tax credits’ do not exist and that promoters of these credits could face civil and criminal penalties,” the Senators wrote. “It appears that White River Energy Corporation, like other promoters involved in this scheme, used the identity and image of Native American tribes without their knowledge to dupe investors into spending millions to purchase fake tax credits. Given IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long’s direct financial ties to White River and other entities implicated in this scheme, we are concerned that if confirmed Long could undermine enforcement actions related to this fraudulent scheme.”
    In response to an inquiry by Democratic Finance Committee staff seeking to better understand the legal mechanisms under which White River and other promoters were able to buy and sell these tribal tax credits, the IRS said the following: 
    “We can confirm that these tax credits do not exist. Taxpayers who claim credits that don’t exist are subject to penalties and possible examination. Furthermore, promoters of these credits may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. The IRS reminds all taxpayers to be aware of tax scams and encourages taxpayers consult with a reputable tax advisor.”
    “Promoters engaged in fraudulent ‘tribal tax credits’ schemes must face criminal consequences,” the Senators continue. “The IRS must promptly investigate this matter to send the message that no one is above the law, regardless of whether they have powerful friends in high places.”
    Read the full letter here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump and Elon Musk’s chaotic actions on Nevada – including at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and General Services Administration. The Senator has also been a vocal opponent of many of Trump’s dangerous nominations to lead federal agencies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland blasts DPP authorities for ‘selling out’ Taiwan’s interests to US

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday condemned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, led by Lai Ching-te, for what was described as “despicable” acts of kowtowing to the United States and selling out Taiwan’s interests.
    Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media query about chipmaker TSMC’s investment expansion in the United States, the U.S. imposition of a 32 percent tariff on Taiwan, and Lai Ching-te’s response to the entire issue which has drawn widespread criticism.
    The DPP authorities have willingly sold out the island’s core strategic industries in pursuit of “Taiwan independence,” but in return, Taiwan now faces high tariffs imposed by the United States, which has shattered the deliberately constructed illusion of a so-called solid U.S.-Taiwan relationship, according to Zhu.
    “In the face of the United States’ abuse of tariffs and its unilateral provocation of a global trade war, we took immediate and resolute countermeasures not only to protect our legitimate rights and interests, but also to safeguard international trade rules and international fairness and justice,” the spokesperson said.
    Noting the praise in Taiwan for the mainland’s courage and confidence, Zhu said that as long as peace is maintained across the Taiwan Strait and compatriots are united, the two sides of the Strait can jointly strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation, resist external risks and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
    On TSMC’s deal with Intel and growing concerns from the island over the United States draining Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, Zhu said TSMC has long been regarded as the DPP’s “pledge of allegiance” to the United States to seek independence, and it is only a matter of time before Lai “throws away” Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
    If the DPP authorities are allowed to continue to “sell out” and “destroy” Taiwan, Taiwan’s industries and residents will lose not just jobs, but also future development opportunities, Zhu said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minimum pension drawdown reminder

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    A self-managed super fund (SMSF) must pay a minimum amount each year to a member who is receiving a pension that commenced on or after 20 September 2007. These are mainly account based pensions (also known as a super income stream).

    If you haven’t already, then you’ll need to make sure all members receiving an account-based pension are paid their minimum pension amount by 30 June. This is calculated by applying the relevant percentage factor based on the member’s age by the member’s pension account balance calculated as of 1 July 2024 or on a pro-rata basis if the pension commenced part way through the 2024–2025 financial year.

    If the minimum payment is not made by 30 June, this could result in adverse taxation consequences for the member.

    You can learn more about how to calculate your member’s minimum pension payment by visiting minimum pension standards.

    Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? – You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Be aware of SMSF schemes

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    We have seen individuals be targeted by promoters to create an SMSF for inappropriate and illegal reasons. These promoters often promise high returns or early access to super.

    These schemes can be illegal and result in severe penalties. It’s important to recognise these warning signs of unlawful tax and super schemes.

    Stop, check and protect:

    • do your own research (check before investing)
    • don’t rush to make a quick decision
    • check ASIC’s financial advisers registerExternal Link to make sure your adviser is licensed, know who you are dealing with and confirm their registration
    • if it sounds too good to be true it usually is
    • request copies of all documents including such things as investment plans and read all documents before signing.

    You should consider how any arrangements may impact your SMSF and whether they contravene the tax and super laws.

    If you’ve been approached by a promoter or suspect a unlawful tax or super scheme, you can report it, by completing the tip off form or by contacting us on 1800 060 062.

    We work with ASIC to investigate scamsExternal Link and promoters involved in illegal activities in the super environment.

    For more information visit SMSF schemes.

    Looking for the latest news for SMSFs? – You can stay up to date by visiting our SMSF newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly SMSF newsletter.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Everbright Digital Holding Limited Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Everbright Digital Holding Limited (the “Company” or “Everbright”), an integrated marketing solutions provider headquartered in Hong Kong, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,500,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.00004 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”), at a public offering price of US$4.00 per ordinary share. The ordinary shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and are expected to commence trading on April 17, 2025, U.S. Eastern time, under the ticker symbol “EDHL.”

    The Company expects to receive aggregate gross proceeds of US$6.0 million from the sale of Ordinary Shares offered by the Company in the Offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 225,000 ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts. The Offering is expected to close on or about April 21, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for marketing and business expansion, continued research and development of our core technologies, business development overseas, talent acquisition and training, as well as for general working capital and corporate purposes.

    The Offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. Dominari Securities LLC is acting as the lead underwriter and Revere Securities LLC is acting as co-underwriter for the Offering. Pacific Century Securities, LLC is acting as an advisor to the Company. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP is acting as U.S. counsel to the Company, and Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC is acting as U.S. counsel to the underwriters in connection with the Offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File Number: 333-285191), as amended, and was declared effective by the SEC on March 31, 2025. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, when available, may be obtained from Dominari Securities LLC by email at info@dominarisecurities.com, by standard mail to Dominari Securities LLC, 725 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by calling (212) 393-4500. In addition, copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, when available, may be obtained via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more information about the Company and the Offering. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Company’s securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    About Everbright Digital Holding Limited

    Everbright Digital Holding Limited is an integrated marketing solutions provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The Company conducts all operations in Hong Kong through its operating subsidiary, Hong Kong United Metaverse Limited. The Company is an integrated marketing solutions provider in Hong Kong that is deeply involved in the metaverse and related technologies, providing one-stop digital marketing services to support businesses through every stage of their development, including metaverse stimulation, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) design and creation, creative event planning and management, IP character creation and social media marketing.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://umeta.hk/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s proposed Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions in this prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Everbright Digital Holding Limited
    Leung Chun Yip, CEO
    Email: michael@umeta.hk

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: QLD voters oppose Greens’ gas ban, back long-term role for gas: poll – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: QLD voters oppose Greens’ gas ban, back long-term role for gas: poll – Australian Energy Producers

    A majority of voters in the key federal electorates of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan believe that natural gas has a long-term role in the state’s energy mix and oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas developments, new polling shows.

    A recent poll of over 2500 voters across the three electorates found that more than 80 per cent of voters see a role for gas in Queensland’s energy mix, with around 58 per cent citing a long-term role. More than 60 per cent of voters also believe the natural gas industry is important to the state’s economy.

    The JWS Research poll commissioned by Australian Energy Producers surveyed more than 800 voters in each of the electorates of Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan, held by Greens MPs Stephen Bates, Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown respectively.

    The poll found that 58 of voters across the three seats oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, and only one in five support it. It also found 57 per cent support Queensland’s gas industry, and fewer than one in five don’t support the industry.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the results showed Queenslanders understood the critical role of gas for the state’s economic prosperity and energy security.

    “Queensland runs on natural gas, which provides 20 per cent of the state’s primary energy needs, contributes $25 billion a year to the state economy and supports more than 57,000 jobs across the state,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “Voters in these electorates understand the value of Queensland’s gas and LNG sector because they directly benefit from the sector’s investment. A recent study found Queensland’s gas industry spent $27.8 billion with 1,100 local businesses in the seats of Ryan, Griffith and Brisbane over the past 10 years, supporting 22,000 local jobs.”

    The poll also found that cost-of-living and energy affordability is the biggest issue for voters this election.

    “With cost-of-living pressures front of mind for Queenslanders this election, these results send a strong message to all candidates contesting this election about the importance of a strong Queensland gas sector to the state’s economic growth and energy security,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “Recent analysis by EnergyQuest found The Greens’ reckless energy policy to ban new gas projects would mean higher energy bills, increased risk of blackouts, and higher emissions as more coal and diesel would be needed to keep the lights on.”

    Key results of JWS Research polling in Brisbane, Griffith and Ryan 

    JWS conducted the poll on 8-9 April on behalf of Australian Energy Producers, with over 800 respondents in each electorate.

    Brisbane

    • 80% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 54% citing long-term role. Only 6% saw no role.
    • 53% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 21% oppose.
    • 57% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 12% consider it unimportant
    • 53% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 23% neutral or undecided. Only 24% support the policy.
    • 31% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by climate change and the environment (14%), the economy and jobs (12%) and housing supply and affordability (12%).

    Griffith

    • 78% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 54% citing long-term role. Only 11% saw no role.
    • 53% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 24% oppose.
    • 56% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 16% consider it unimportant
    • 54% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 23% neutral or undecided. Only 24% support the policy.
    • 38% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by hospitals, healthcare and ageing (16%), housing supply and affordability (11%) and the economy and jobs (11%).

    Ryan

    • 85% believe natural gas has a role in Queensland’s energy mix, with 66% citing long-term role. Only 6% saw no role.
    • 66% support the natural gas industry in Queensland, only 14% oppose.
    • 66% consider the natural gas industry important to the state’s economy. Only 7% consider it unimportant
    • 66% oppose the Greens’ policy to ban all new gas projects in Australia, with 21% neutral or undecided. Only 13% support the policy.
    • 35% ranked cost of living including energy affordability as the most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the upcoming election, followed by crime (18%), housing supply and affordability (16%), climate change and the environment (11%).

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Tours Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Highlights Importance of Federal Funding Amid Trump Attacks on Education

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ***PHOTOS, B-ROLL HERE***
    Lakewood, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) in Lakewood, met with students, educators and workforce readiness partners, and heard about how the college utilizes essential federal funding streams to support their students—support that could now be at risk with the Trump administration’s all-out assault on American education and their plans to dismantle the Department of Education, which provides critical resources for students and colleges in Washington state and across the country. Last year, the Department of Education distributed over $40 million in annual funding for career and technical education and workforce development in Washington state, and over $100 million in federal financial aid and support to help students across Washington attend and complete college.
    During the visit, Senator Murray spoke with educators and their partner workforce readiness organizations about the programs that teach students transferrable professional skills that are vital for today’s workforce. Senator Murray met with educators and students in the college’s manufacturing, welding, and health sciences programs to learn about the hands-on approach their classes have been taking to prepare them for jobs. Clover Park receives over $3.2 million in annual federal financial aid and $1.1 million in federal loans to support students, through Pell Grants and programs including the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Emergency Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (EFSEOG) and Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS), which Senator Murray has long championed.
    “It’s important to hear about and see firsthand the many unique workforce training programs Clover Park Technical College offers—and how students from different backgrounds are succeeding and integrating into the local workforce. It is schools and programs like these that help make Washington state’s economy stronger and prepare our students for the future,” said Senator Murray. “Right now, President Trump is taking a wrecking ball to education in America and trying to dismantle the Department of Education—which provides critical support to students and colleges, everything from Pell Grants to workforce development programs. The billionaires running our government may not understand why federal funding for our students and colleges matters—but the students and educators I met with today do. I will not sit back quietly while Trump tries to destroy public education in America.”
    “We are thankful to Senator Patty Murray for visiting Clover Park’s Lakewood campus. We always welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our programs and to provide real-life examples of how education in a technical field can change students’ lives. Federal support for higher education not only allows our students to access the means to fund their education, it also builds capacity for small colleges like ours to equip our faculty to become exceptional teachers,” said Joyce Loveday, President of Clover Park Technical College. Joyce has been President since June 2016 and has been working with the CPTC community since 2002.  
    A senior member and former chair of the HELP Committee, Senator Murray has championed students and families at every stage of her career—fighting to help ensure every child in America can get a high-quality public education. Among other things, Senator Murray negotiated the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), landmark legislation that she got signed into law, replacing the broken No Child Left Behind Act. As a longtime appropriator, she has successfully fought to boost funding to support students and invest in our nation’s K-12 schools, and she has secured significant increases to the Pell Grant so that it goes further for students pursuing a higher education. Senator Murray also successfully negotiated the FAFSA Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid.
    Earlier this month, Senator Murray led a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon demanding a reversal of a new policy the Department of Education announced recently that suddenly upended departmental policy and imposed new red tape on states, which will prevent them from accessing pandemic relief funds they are counting on to support students’ learning. Senator Murray also led a letter demanding detailed answers from the Department of Education about the mass firings and other detrimental actions which risk major reductions in support for and oversight of federal investments in our nation’s K-12 schools and institutions of higher education and threaten vital support for students with disabilities, access to Pell Grants and other financial aid, oversight of student loan servicers, scrutiny of for-profit colleges, and more. The letter follows an earlier March 6 letter Senator Murray sent alongside colleagues demanding answers about the chaotic, harmful actions taken by ED since January—which the Department has yet to respond to.
    During Secretary Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing, Senator Murray pressed McMahon on whether she will ensure approved funding gets out to serve students as the law requires and whether she would protect students’ data from DOGE. She also asked McMahon to name a single requirement of ESSA—and McMahon couldn’t name any. Ahead of McMahon’s confirmation, Senator Murray spoke out on the Senate floor against her nomination and sounded the alarm over President Trump and Elon Musk’s plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
    A fact sheet outlining how the Department of Education supports students in Washington state is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Hoyer Introduce Major Russian Sanctions, Ukraine Assistance Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer today introduced a comprehensive bill to support Ukraine and thwart Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war there. Like the Senate bill introduced earlier this month by Senator Lindsey Graham, this legislative package imposes numerous sanctions and other economic measures against Russia should it fail to cease its war of aggression against Ukraine. But this legislation also includes further vital provisions to sustain security assistance to Ukraine for its defense, generate resources for post-war reconstruction, and override presidential actions to terminate existing sanctions without cause. The bill also imposes new sanctions and export control authorities to place additional pressure on Russia, including to curb tankers carrying Russian oil above the international price cap and to ensure dual-use controls on semiconductors and other technologies that could be used to support Russia’s weapons capabilities.

    A section by section of the legislation can be found here. A PDF of the bill can be found here. 

    Additional cosponsors of the bill include Representatives William Keating, Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee; Gerry Connolly, Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Lloyd Doggett. 

    “The US-led international response to Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine has isolated Moscow as a global pariah, devastated the Kremlin’s capacity to fund this war, and provided essential support to the Ukrainians fighting for freedom. Now is not the time to ease up on this successful approach nor put pressure solely on the victim, Ukraine. The U.S. must remain committed to shoring up Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a just, acceptable end to this war and to holding Russia – and those supporting its illegal invasion – accountable for as long as Putin’s war of choice continues. This weekend’s missile attack in Sumy that claimed dozens of civilian lives, including children, further demonstrates the barbarity Russia has used to sow terror throughout this war, and the need to impose serious consequences for its atrocities. Make no mistake – Vladimir Putin started this war. He is a bully with no respect for peace, Ukrainian sovereignty, or international norms, and he will only end this illegal war when the world compels him to,“ said Ranking Member Meeks.

    “Our allies in Ukraine are on the front lines of freedom – fighting not only for their nations’ sovereignty but also against authoritarianism worldwide. I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing urgently needed legislation that will support our allies in Ukraine and invest in their recovery through tougher sanctions on Russian oil exports, security and military assistance, and dual use export provisions. Importantly, this legislation also includes provisions that will allow the Congress, a coequal branch of government, to advance resolutions of disapproval if the President waves his authority – and assert with our own voice that Ukraine has bipartisan support in the United States,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer. “I thank Ranking Member Greg Meeks for his work to put together comprehensive legislation that reflects our values, strengthens our democracy, and ensures the United States remains on the right side of history. We must not give aid and comfort to our enemy, Russia, and we must remain steadfast in the battle for democracy.”

    “I am co-sponsoring this legislation because it reaffirms the American people’s unwavering commitment to a sovereign, democratic Ukraine,” said Ranking Member Keating. “As Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion, it is critical that the United States stands firmly by its side—not just militarily, but economically and diplomatically. This legislation includes key provisions from my own bills that aim to support Ukraine across multiple fronts. It provides war risk insurance to ensure the continued flow of international commerce with Ukraine, blocks illegal U.S. technology exports to Iran where they are used to manufacture drones deployed by Russia, and promotes the diversification of Ukraine’s energy supply. Ukraine’s victory requires more than military support – it demands a comprehensive strategy to help rebuild its economy, secure its infrastructure, and restore its independence.”

    “Our friends in Ukraine are fighting for the democratic ideals we share against a war criminal, Vladimir Putin, and the rising threat of authoritarianism globally,” said Ranking Member Connolly. “The American commitment to Ukraine, its sovereignty, and its recovery must be lasting and ironclad. We must stand firmly behind the Ukrainian people by countering Russian disinformation, advocating for multilateral support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, providing additional U.S. security assistance, and implementing crippling sanctions on Russia and its enablers to force Putin to the negotiating table. That’s why this bill includes provisions from my bipartisan legislation to expand sanctions on North Korea for its material support for Russia’s illegal invasion. The war in Ukraine is a battle between dictatorship and democracy. Between freedom and oppression. The United States must remain on the right side of history. Slava Ukraini.” 

    “Pleased to join Rep. Meek’s comprehensive bill, including provisions I authored to stop laundered Russian oil imports and to use frozen Russian assets for compensation to Ukrainians. We support Ukraine and reaffirm our recognition of Putin as a war criminal with sole responsibility for the war. We reject appeasement by Trump and his Republican enablers of Putin, who should bear the ever-mounting costs of his ongoing destruction. The world is watching whether America will remain a beacon of hope, standing with our democratic allies, or drift itself into Russian-style authoritarianism,” said Rep. Doggett.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – Inflation data confirms real terms minimum wage cut – CTU

    Source: NZCTU

    The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned for low-income workers given new data released by Stats NZ that shows inflation was 2.5% for the year to March 2025, rising from 2.2% in December last year.

    “The prices of things that people can’t avoid are rising – meaning inflation is rising faster for those on low incomes,” said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney.

    “Inflation was driven by increases in rents (up 3.7%), rates (up 12%), household energy (up 7.2%) and insurances (up 8%). Grocery prices were also higher, rising 4.3%.

    “Earlier this year, the minimum wage rose by 1.5% – a full 1% less than actual inflation. This is the second year the Government has increased the minimum wage by less than inflation, which means that a full-time minimum wage worker is now cumulatively $2,438 worse off in real terms. Minimum wage workers are missing out on $28.36 a week because of the Government’s decisions.

    “The Government is considering removing the Living Wage guarantee for government contractors who are caterers, cleaners, and security guards. This data shows why that protection is so important – working people can’t rely on this Government to protect them through the Minimum Wage.

    “With 46% of workers receiving a pay rise less than inflation last year, it also shows that many working people are still doing it tough. Unemployment is still rising, with tens of thousands of more people on Jobseekers Support. It is clearly not workers who are benefitting from the very little economic growth is being delivered.

    “This data is another piece of evidence about who is winning and losing in the economy. The poorest working people are facing higher costs they can’t avoid – but with less money to pay.

    “Workers need a change in direction and a government that will actively address low pay, unemployment, and poverty – it’s time for a different approach,” said Renney.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronet Announces First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call Details

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet (or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EEFT) announced today it will release first quarter 2025 earnings results prior to the market opening on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Euronet will hold a conference call the same day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.

    The conference call and accompanying slide show presentation will be accessible via webcast by following the link posted on http://ir.euronetworldwide.com. Participants wanting to access the conference call by telephone must register at   Euronet Worldwide First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call to receive dial-in information. While not required, it is recommended participants join the call five minutes prior to the event start.

    A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the event at http://ir.euronetworldwide.com and will remain available for one year.

    About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

    Starting in Central Europe in 1994 and growing to a global real-time digital and cash payments network with millions of touchpoints today, Euronet now moves money in all the ways consumers and businesses depend upon. This includes money transfers, credit/debit card processing, ATMs, POS services, branded payments, foreign currency exchange and more. With products and services in more than 200 countries and territories provided through its own brand and branded business segments, Euronet and its financial technologies and networks make participation in the global economy easier, faster, and more secure for everyone. 

    A leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider, Euronet has developed an extensive global payments network that includes 55,248 installed ATMs, approximately 1,160,000 EFT POS terminals and a growing portfolio of outsourced debit and credit card services which are under management in 64 countries; card software solutions; a prepaid processing network of approximately 777,000 POS terminals at approximately 362,000 retailer locations in 64 countries; and a global money transfer network of approximately 607,000 locations serving 197 countries and territories. Euronet serves clients from its corporate headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, USA, and 67 worldwide offices. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: California sues Trump administration over ‘unlawful tariffs’

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    California governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that the western U.S. state which has the largest economy in the nation is suing the Trump administration over the President’s sweeping “unlawful tariffs” on international trading partners.

    “President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy – driving up prices and threatening jobs,” Newsom said in a statement, adding that “We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

    “Donald Trump does not have the authority to impose these destructive and chaotic tariffs. America stands to lose too much,” said the governor in a post on X platform.

    “We’re taking him to court,” said the governor.

    “California is the largest manufacturing state in our union, one of the largest trading partners around the globe. No state will be impacted more than the state of California as it relates to the unilateral authority that’s been asserted by the Trump administration to impose the largest tax increases in modern American history,” he noted.

    Newsom pointed out that “In America, forty percent of goods movements in this country come through two ports of entry in California. About 50 percent of that from China itself.”

    In the lawsuit, expected to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, California officials will argue that the law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump cited to impose the tariffs, does not grant him the ability to unilaterally adopt those tariffs.

    California, also the most populated U.S. state, is the first state in the nation to sue Trump administration on tariffs.

    The Golden State is the largest importer among all U.S. states, with more than 675 billion U.S. dollars in two-way trade supporting millions of jobs throughout the state. Mexico, Canada and China are California’s top three export destinations, buying nearly 67 billion dollars in California exports, which was over one-third of the state’s 183 billion dollars in exported goods in 2024, according to the data released by the governor’s office. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia Banking Sector – CommBank builds a brighter future for Bendigo

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    CBA backs Bendigo for the win on the back of strong regional growth.

    The Central Victorian LGA of Greater Bendigo is one of the most popular destinations for Australians looking to relocate to other desirable areas of the state, according to recent data from CommBank and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI).

    The Regional Movers Index (RMI), which analyses the quarterly and annual trends of people moving to and from Australia’s capital cities and regional areas, saw Greater Bendigo record a 65 per cent annual growth in net internal migration (2023 vs 2024) making it the most popular LGA in Victoria for regional movers.  

    Known for its thriving art and cultural scene, national parks and wineries, and established education and health services, Greater Bendigo has long been a favoured destination among regional movers. However in recent months, the RMI has seen a rising attraction among city-dwellers seeking a tree change. During the quarter ending December 2024, Greater Bendigo achieved the highest growth among capital to regional movers (63.2 per cent) and placed second nationally after recording a fourfold increase (278.7 per cent) in annual growth among capital-regional movers.

    The release of the RMI data comes as CommBank’s Business Banking leadership and regional team met with several local businesses and community leaders across Central Victoria this week to discuss the issues and opportunities unique to the region.

    CommBank Group Executive Business Banking, Mike Vacy-Lyle said: “In recent years, Bendigo and the surrounding region have experienced a population gold rush which is only expected to grow due to the area’s rich cultural history, scenic landscape and diverse economy. Its close proximity to Melbourne also appeals to those seeking the convenience of city living and country charm, without compromising on quality services, job opportunities or housing affordability.

    “Despite the growing cost of doing business in regional areas, we are seeing strong gains across several sectors including health, manufacturing, professional services, transport and agriculture, with Greater Bendigo uniquely positioned to capitalise on this continued population boom. With the right investments channelled into the right areas, Bendigo is well positioned to support the state’s economic growth.”

    To support the growing needs of Bendigo and Central Victoria’s community, CommBank recently opened a dedicated business centre in the heart of the city. Located at 47 Queen St, the $2.1 million renovation and relocation to the new premise offers a vibrant environment complete with state-of-the-art banking facilities designed to provide business banking customers with tailored services.

    The new centre is operated by a growing team of commercial, agribusiness and small business banking specialists who live locally and have an unrivalled knowledge of the environments their customers operate in. This is further strengthened by the recent leadership appointment of Fiona Corrigan to the role of CommBank Executive Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking, who like many residents, recently relocated with her family from Melbourne to Bendigo.

    Mr Vacy-Lyle continued: “Our commitment to Bendigo and Victoria runs deep and we continue to invest in our people and banking facilities to support the everyday banking needs of the local community.

    “To help business owners capitalise on economic opportunities across the region, we are also working with local councils and chambers of commerce including Be.Bendigo, as well as community leaders to unlock areas of investment and create sustained growth locally.”  

    Further bolstering the bank’s 100 year presence in the region is the recent opening of the Bendigo CBD branch, relocating to a new location on 116 – 120 Mitchell St after undergoing a $2 million fit-out to offer customers an improved banking experience. In addition to operating the largest ATM network in the country, CommBank has renewed its commitment to maintaining its regional branch network until mid-2027.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Delaware Woman Admits Role in COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAMDEN, N.J. – A Delaware woman admitted to conspiring to obtain more than $1 million of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Adrienne Ponzo, 50, of Bear, Delaware, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to one count of wire fraud conspiracy.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:                                                                           

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  The CARES Act also authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses that were experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    To obtain a PPP or EIDL loan, a qualifying small business was required to submit an application and provide information on its operations, including the number of employees and revenues or expenses.  In addition, businesses generally had to provide supporting documentation such as tax returns and bank statements.

    Adrienne Ponzo conspired with others to defraud the SBA and the PPP program.  Ponzo’s co-conspirators recruited individuals who owned companies with little or no operations and introduced them to Ponzo.  Ponzo prepared fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications for these businesses and caused them to be electronically submitted to the SBA and PPP lenders. Ponzo prepared fraudulent bank statements and tax returns for companies that did not have them.  Ponzo received a portion of the loan proceeds for her role in the scheme.  14 loans totaling nearly $1,500,000 were part of the scheme.

    The count of wire fraud conspiracy is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

    Sentencing is scheduled for August 26, 2025.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Regional Office; special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs in Philadelphia; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Boston New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to this guilty plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel A. Friedman and Attorney-in-Charge Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel:

    Troy A. Archie, Esq., Cinnaminson, New Jersey

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Government’s public consultation to address healthcare crisis “badly flawed” – Genaro

    Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

    The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) has criticised a Ministry of Health public consultation process on workforce regulation as poorly designed and biased towards outcomes likely to compromise patient safety and lead to patients not being able to see a GP when they need to.

    The Ministry describes its consultation paper Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation as “an opportunity to put patients at the centre, modernise and streamline the system, and improve efficiency”.

    (ref. http://www.health.govt.nz/publications/putting-patients-first-modernising-health-workforce-regulation )

    But GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers says the paper’s proposals do anything but put patients first.

    “They seek to legitimise government plans to address the workforce crisis by focusing on lowering standards of care and clinical safety guidelines, rather than tackling the core issue of a lack of funding,” Dr Chambers said.

    A narrow 21-day window for submissions (from March 28 to April 30) also contributes to what Dr Chambers describes as a “cursory attempt to fix a workforce crisis with band aid solutions”.

    “The Ministry is seeking public feedback through an online survey, but the leading nature of its questions suggests it’s already made up its mind on outcomes,” says Dr Chambers.

    “Namely, cheap fixes focused on slashing regulation and standards, with unintended consequences of a healthcare regime that is less safe and more costly, with fewer professional organisations overseeing standards of care, and with lesser-qualified health professionals plugging workforce gaps.”

    An example of a leading question from the survey cited by Dr Chambers is: ‘How important is it to you that health professions are regulated by separate regulators, given the potential for inefficiency, higher costs, and duplication of tasks?’

    “The survey is the medical equivalent of a political ‘push poll’ in which an organisation attempts to manipulate or alter voters’ views under the guise of conducting an opinion poll.  There is no room for these types of negative tactics in primary healthcare,” Dr Chambers says.

    “There are solid reasons why separate regulatory authorities regulate health professionals as different as dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, nurses, optometrists, and GPs, but on this topic – as elsewhere – the consultation paper is clearly angled towards eliciting a quick-fix response from the public.”

    The Ministry of Health has failed the New Zealand population with respect to workforce planning. It is unclear why we should trust it now when it’s performed so poorly to allow this situation to arise.

    “Cursory remedies such as these only exacerbate our healthcare crisis and lead to long-term harm. From a primary healthcare perspective, we know that government needs to completely overhaul an arcane funding and pricing model which is driving GPs to the wall.”

    Despite more complex patient health needs and higher operating costs, general practices have received no increase in funding in real terms for several years and are restricted in adjusting their prices.

    “General practices are struggling to stay financially viable and recruit health professionals, so are having to close their books to new patients, reduce their services, or close completely. The results are very apparent: delays in accessing general practices and crowded emergency departments,” says Dr Chambers.

    GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Over 200,000 New Zealanders to benefit from medicines funding boost

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown are pleased that hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are set to benefit from access to more than 60 medicines, following the Government’s funding boost to Pharmac.
    The funding boost of $604 million over four years has allowed Pharmac to fund or widen access to 59 medicines so far, with five more being considered for funding as of today. 
    By comparison, in the financial year immediately prior to receiving the funding boost from this government, Pharmac was able to fund or widen access to 28 treatments.
    “Pharmac’s consultation for asthma inhalers, released today, represents the final consultation related to last year’s funding increase,” Mr Seymour says.
    “If the proposal to widen access is approved, it will mean over 200,000 New Zealanders in total will have benefitted from the additional medicines funded using the Government’s budget boost.
    “When this Government assumed office, New Zealanders were facing an uncertain future for medicine access. Pharmac had a $1.8 billion funding hole and no new money to increase access for medicines.
    “It was a priority for this government to fix that. We’ve allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, so that it can get on and do its job – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders.
    “For example, Pharmac opened consultation on a proposal to widen access to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for five types of cancer within days of the funding boost being announced. Just over three months later, people with these conditions could start their new treatments.
    “In my letter of expectations to Pharmac last July I asked it to ensure that its decision making and evaluation model includes the wider fiscal impact of funding or not funding a medicine. While Budget 2025 is still under consideration, I have confidence in Pharmac’s ability to increase medicines access for Kiwis with the budget provided to them.”
    Mr Brown says delivering better and faster access to cancer care in New Zealand has been a focus of this Government, which is why it is one of our five key health targets, and is able to deliver because of the Government’s $604 million investment in new cancer medicines.
    “As Minister of Health, I am focused on ensuring better access to more cancer medicines, better cancer management driven by our faster cancer treatment target, and earlier detection of cancers through screening programmes,” Mr Brown says.
    “Some of these medicines, such as Keytruda, have been described as ‘game-changers.’ Other medicines, such as the heart medicine empagliflozin, will help keep people with chronic heart failure out of hospital, relieving pressure on the health system.
    “It is encouraging to see continued improvement in our efforts to provide faster cancer treatment, with more patients receiving their first treatment within 31 days in the first financial quarter than in the previous quarter and more cancer treatments available.”
    While the consultation released today is the last related to the Government’s funding boost, Pharmac will continue to assess applications to fund new medicines and make more medicines available to New Zealanders as budget allows.  
    Note to editors: Medicines have been funded for conditions including breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, schizophrenia, heart failure, psoriasis, diabetes, eczema, and osteoporosis. A full list can be found on Pharmac’s website.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier calls for high-quality development of foreign trade

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GUANGZHOU, April 16 — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng called for the high-quality development of foreign trade and joint efforts to build an open global economy.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when attending the 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    More efforts will be made to bolster foreign trade, foster new growth drivers of foreign trade, and encourage broader international economic and trade cooperation, he said.

    The vast market and huge consumption potential of China provide opportunities for the entry of quality products from the world, the vice premier said, noting that the country has always been a trustworthy trade partner.

    He urged foreign trade enterprises to make good use of the Canton Fair and explore diversified markets, and encouraged foreign buyers to promote trade and investment between China and the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Washington Considers Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires, Senator Reverend Warnock Calls for Tax Breaks for Working and Middle-Class Families in Capitol Hill Rally

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    As Washington Considers Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires, Senator Reverend Warnock Calls for Tax Breaks for Working and Middle-Class Families in Capitol Hill Rally

    Senator Reverend Warnock joined a crowd of hundreds at the “Say NO to Tax Breaks for Billionaires & Corporations” rally

    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Everybody likes tax cuts. The debate is about who ought to get one and who really needs one, and what’s the best way to move our economy forward. [Washington Republicans] want to give a tax cut to millionaires and billionaires”

    Watch Senator Reverend Warnock’s rally remarks HERE

    Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) spoke in front of a crowd of hundreds about the need for Congress to provide a tax break to working and middle-class families during the “Say NO to Tax Breaks for Billionaires & Corporations” rally on Capitol Hill. 

    “Everybody likes tax cuts. The debate is about who ought to get one and who really needs one, and what’s the best way to move our economy forward. [Washington Republicans] want to give a tax cut to millionaires and billionaires […] You’re not trying to cut taxes, you’re not trying to cut waste and fraud and abuse, because if you were trying to cut waste and fraud and abuse, I know an unelected billionaire who’s received $40 billion in federal aid and support and loans, I know where you can find some waste and fraud and abuse,” said Senator Warnock.

    As a new voice on the Senate Finance committee, Senator Warnock is committed to championing tax policies that support working families and put more money back into the pockets of middle-class families. In 2021, Senator Warnock fought to secure the Expanded Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan. Senator Warnock recently introduced the American Family Act, which would nearly double the Child Tax Credit (CTC) from its current amount and help working moms and dads in a moment where the cost of groceries, housing, and child care is on the rise.

    A transcript of Senator Warnock’s remarks during the rally can be found below:

    “I just want to say thank you for coming to Washington, D.C. Give yourselves a round of applause just for being here. Mama said, ‘Half a life is showing up’. And I cannot stress to you enough how important it is and how impactful it is for you to show up.”

    “Politicians – whether they are Republicans, Democrats or Independents – when you show up, they pay attention. When you call our offices, we pay attention. When you write letters, we pay attention. And when you have the unmitigated audacity to come here and remind the folks over there that that’s not their house, it’s the People’s House, it makes a huge difference. You keep showing up, and I promise you that I and my colleagues are going to keep showing up for you.”

    “Give my brother Ben Ray Luján a big round of applause. He and I are both alumni of Head Start., and I probably don’t have to tell you that in the United States Senate, which historically has been a place for the sons of American aristocracy, and I do mean sons, because that weren’t many women, you’re not going to run into many United States Senators who are alums of Head Start. But that’s a program that gives poor children a chance. It inspires them, exposes them to literature and reading and a love of learning, because all children are naturally curious, and if you bump into a child who doesn’t have that, believe me, something or somebody stole it from them. The trauma of being poor [can]rob them of the natural intellectual curiosity about the world that all children have.”

    “I’ve got a word for you. God raises up genius and brilliance and talent all over the world, on all sides of town, on both sides of the railroad track. God is an equal opportunity employer, and it makes sense to invest in children because we don’t know what they’re going to contribute.”

    “So the folk who want to run roughshod over Head Start don’t get it, and the reason why so many of them don’t get it is not simply because they were born rich. I’m not going to hate on anybody because they were born rich because I didn’t decide to be born poor. But you ought to at least spend enough time with ordinary people so you don’t end up saying dumb things. Like [as Commerce Secretary Lutnick remarked] if my mother-in-law misses one social security check, big deal. Of course, it’s no big deal to her. Her son-in-law is a billionaire. That’s not my story. That’s not the story of the people who are in this crowd.”

    “In the words of that great prophet, that poet, Kendrick Lamar, they not like us.”

    “We need people in government who, regardless of their background and where they were born, are sensitive to the concerns of ordinary people, hard-working Americans, for people that so many in our government, over the last 40 years, most of my life, have been busy maligning, criminalizing poor people for being poor. That’s why we’re in this mess. That’s why they’re obsessed with giving a tax cut to those who don’t need it, while taking resources away from those who need it so desperately just to survive.”

    “And so here’s the thing, here’s the thing that all of us apparently have in common: we all like tax cuts. Everybody likes tax cuts. The debate is about who ought to get one and who really needs one, and what’s the best way to move our economy forward. They want to give a tax cut to millionaires and billionaires, and they’ve been engaged over the last few weeks in creating a lot of theater, tragic theater that has implications for people’s ability to actually live: firing federal workers and making them the enemy, firing folks at the CDC, closing down Social Security offices across Georgia and across our country, and announcing that they were going to do it on the DOGE website. And when I called them out for it, they were at least a little bit embarrassing, because they took it off their website and acted like they didn’t say it. But my staff took screenshots of that website. Yes, you said it. We know what you said, and we know what you are trying to do. You’re not trying to cut taxes, you’re not trying to cut waste and fraud and abuse, because if you were trying to cut waste and fraud and abuse, I know an unelected billionaire who’s received $40 billion in federal aid and support and loans, I know where you can find some waste and fraud and abuse, and his name is Elon Musk!”

    “So all of this is a distraction, because Donald Trump is just trying to pay off his friends, trying to pay off millionaires and billionaires. I’m not mad at you because you have money. I just believe that strong hearted bear the infirmities of the weak. I just believe that we are all in this together. The pandemic taught us that, right that we were in a deadly pandemic. We didn’t have the vaccine at the time, it’s an airborne disease. That means that if my neighbor got sick. Even though she was sick, I was potentially in peril because it’s an airborne disease. The pandemic taught us that we didn’t already know that that doesn’t make my neighbor my enemy because she’s sick, that just means that it is in my enlightened self-interest to make sure that she has what she needs, that she has a mask, that she has a vaccine.”

    “In other words, my neighbor’s health care coverage is good for my health. It is good for all of us, for everybody to have healthcare. It is good for all of us, no matter how much money you have for children in Georgia to have Medicaid. So that’s what this fight is all about.”

    “So keep showing up. Keep fighting the good fight. Keep raising your voice, because this is not about the people who have power. We’ve proven in America over and over again that it’s really about the power in the people, and when the people raise their voices, when the people show up, the people can make a difference!”

    “Do you believe that?”

    “Are you ready to make some noise?”

    “Are you ready to show up?”

    “Are you ready to fight for our children?”

    “Are you ready to defend Social Security?”

    “Are you ready to defend Medicaid?”

    “Let do this work y’all!”

    “The budget is not just a fiscal document, it’s a moral document. Budget is not just dollars and cents, it’s good morals and common sense. Show me your budget and I’ll show you who you think matters and who you think is dispensable. Show me your budget and I’ll show you what you think about children, what you think about workers, and what you think made America great, and if this budget that they are trying to pass were an EKG, it would suggest that the Congress has a heart problem and is in need of moral surgery. So let’s get the room ready. I know you may not be surgeons, but just help us get the room ready, because the Congress needs an operation, and it’s the people who bring about the change.”

    “So you keep showing up over and over again. Don’t give it to those who are trying to weaponize despair. Don’t believe them when they want to convince you that he’s already a king. We have no king! This is the United States of America, and we’re not about to roll over to somebody who wants to be an oligarch.”

    “I’m going to stand up for my children. Are you going to stand up for yours? I’m going to stand up for my mother who needs her Social Security. I’m going to stand up for everybody’s children, so that my children are alright. So let’s stand together. Let’s work together. Let’s vote together. Let’s fight together. Let’s pray together. Let’s stay together. Don’t give in to the demagogues. Don’t give in to the division. We rise together.”

    “God bless all of you, keep the faith and keep looking up.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More Jobseekers finding work

    Source: New Zealand Government

    More than 2,000 additional Jobseekers found work in the first three months of 2025 than in the same period last year, statistics Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston describes as “cautiously encouraging.”
    Quarterly benefit numbers released by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) today show more than 23,000 clients receiving a main benefit found employment in the March 2025 quarter – an increase of 2,421 people, or 11.6 percent on the same period last year.**
    Other key indicators released this morning show:

    Consecutive decreases in the number of people on benefit for three months in a row, from January 2025 through to March 2025.
    The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support reducing by almost 3,500 people from December 2024 to March 2025. 

    “While encouraged by these figures, I’m also taking a cautious approach as our Government continues to drive for economic and job growth in a challenging global and domestic environment,” Louise Upston says. 
    “We must consider Jobseeker improvement alongside figures showing that the number of people on a main benefit is higher than it was in the March 2024 quarter, following increases throughout 2024. 
    “I am however particularly encouraged by the work of MSD staff over recent months.  One of the drivers behind the increased number of people moving into work is MSD’s ’s heightened focus on employment. 
    “MSD frontline staff are doing a great job engaging proactively with Jobseekers, informing them not only of the obligations and sanctions we’ve introduced under the traffic light system, but also the supports available to help New Zealanders find work.
    “This one-on-one intensive prep for the job market can only help more people back into work.
    “We know the faster we can help beneficiaries – especially young people – find sustainable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy,
    “Our Government has introduced more early intervention for young beneficiaries through a new phone-based employment case management service, we’ve got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations.
    “The new Relocate for Work Support payment will also make it easier for people to move to take up sustainable employment. 
    “All of these initiatives are helping on the frontline, and that matters because  
    ‘work’ is about more than money. It also gives people a sense of purpose, independence, connectedness – leading to a better future and helping families break out of the cycle of inter-generational welfare dependence.
    “We know there will be more to do, but these figures indicate what a difference strong interventions can make,” Louise Upston says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –